When the Emperor sought guidance from wise men, from exiles,
He found no calmer w i sdom than that of young Chia
And assigned him the foremost council-seat at midnight,
Yet asked him about gods, instead of about people.
Original Poem:
「江南曲」
于鹄
偶向江边采白蘋，还随女伴赛江神。
众中不敢分明语，暗掷金钱卜远人。
Interpretation:
This poem describes a woman who misses her husband while participating in a river god festival with her companions. The lively atmosphere of the festival sets the stage for her actions and thoughts, as she secretly divines her husband’s return, revealing her unwavering love and anticipation for their reunion.
First Couple:“偶向江边采白蘋，还随女伴赛江神。”
"Casually, I pick white potherbs by the river, then follow my companions to worship the river god."*
The opening lines paint a vivid picture of life along the riverbank. On the surface, the woman appears to be enjoying the lively activities, but her casual, indifferent actions—indicated by words like “casually” and “follow”—betray her distracted state and inner melancholy.
Second Couple:“众中不敢分明语，暗掷金钱卜远人。”
"Amid the crowd, I dare not speak of my thoughts, but secretly toss a coin to divine news of my distant husband."
The second couplet unveils the woman’s true feelings. Too shy to express her yearning openly, she secretly performs divination to seek answers about her husband’s fate. This subtle act vividly captures her modesty and the depth of her longing. The phrase “secretly toss a coin” conveys her heartfelt hope and adds emotional resonance to the scene.
Key Features:
- Detailed Depictions Reflect Inner Feelings
The woman’s every gesture and action conveys her thoughts. Her indifferent participation in the festivities reflects her lack of interest, while her unwillingness to speak openly and the act of secret divination highlight her tender, reserved nature and deep love for her husband. These nuanced details bring her emotions to life. - Fusion of Setting and Emotion
The poem masterfully combines everyday scenes—picking potherbs and a bustling river god festival—with the woman’s quiet, personal emotions. This integration of lively surroundings with her introspective longing creates a poignant contrast, enhancing the emotional depth of the poem. - Subtle and Evocative Expression
Instead of directly stating her longing, the poem conveys her emotions through understated actions and implied meaning. This subtle approach enriches the poetic atmosphere and leaves ample room for the reader’s imagination.
Overall Appreciation:
"Song of the Southern Shore" portrays a woman’s profound yearning for her husband against the backdrop of familiar daily life. The poem uses concise language and avoids elaborate descriptions, relying instead on nuanced gestures and expressions to reveal her inner world. Through its careful portrayal of detail, the poem captures the essence of boudoir poetry: restrained yet deeply emotional, ordinary yet extraordinarily moving.
Insights:
The poem teaches us that heartfelt emotions can be powerfully expressed through seemingly mundane details. By merging ordinary settings with personal feelings, it demonstrates that subtlety and understatement can create a deeply evocative and enduring emotional impact.
Poem translator:
Xu Yuan-chong (许渊冲)
About the poet:
Yu Hu (于鹄), Tang Dynasty poet, living in seclusion in Hanyang, his poems are simple and vivid in language, fresh and appealing, and the subject matter mostly describes the life of seclusion and promotes the Zen mind and Taoist style.
